Daneel only had a split second of time before Raven Faxul would be upon him.
Without hesitation, he chose to use his strongest defense- the turtle shell barrier, so that he could just defend and observe.
This wasn't some random enemy that he could attack as he wanted while not caring whether they lived or died.
No, this was Faxul, whose mind was thoroughly in the control of that damn bird which did not want to lend its power to him.
At least, that seemed to be the instinctual aim of those memories and the essence in the blood of Faxul, which had awakened.
Daneel had already tried Mind Control in order to see if it was possible to break Faxul out of the illusion, but it had failed, as his mind was already under complete control.
Therefore, all he could do was fight, and find a way to subdue his friend after observing everything he could about the Devouring Monarch of the Skies.
He had to say that he was actually excited.
